For a certain kind of buyer looking for a focused sport sedan, the Alfa Romeo Giulia is a must-have. There's really no other entry-level four-door that comes close to matching its superb driving dynamics and unique road presence. But many will be put off by the compromises to passenger comfort and overall refinement it makes to achieve this goal.Read full review
Michael Cantu has worked in the automotive industry since 2014. He has written over 800 car-related articles and tested and reviewed over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Michael is a contributor at Edmunds and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Digital Trends and InsideEVs. Michael was featured on a few InsideEVs YouTube channel videos on the topic of electric vehicles. Michael was a MotorTrend Car of the Year judge for 2019 and was a driver in MotorTrend's World's Greatest Drag Races 7 & 8.
Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at Edmunds include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).
Pros
Strong turbocharged engines
Attractive interior design
High performance of the Quadrifoglio model
Cons
Rear seat space is tight for the class
Trunk space is adequate but awkward to access
What's new
New limited-edition Lusso and Estrema trim levels
Part of the first Giulia generation introduced in 2017
Overview
The Giulia doesn't look or drive like any other small luxury sedan out there. Its distinctive grille will undoubtedly turn heads, and the way it handles puts traditional luxury sedans to shame. But this Alfa isn't for everyone. Some prefer the comfort, luxury and tech offered by rivals like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4, and don't mind sharing the road with thousands of other drivers who made the same decision. The Giulia is made for those who want a unique luxury sedan with an engaging driving experience.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.04 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
For 2023, Alfa Romeo adds two new limited-edition trim levels: Lusso and Estrema. The Lusso builds off the Ti trim and adds a special leather interior and an upgraded audio system. The Estrema is based on the loaded Veloce trim and comes standard with a limited-slip differential and the adaptive suspension system from the high-performance Quadrifoglio model. The Estrema also sports carbon-fiber interior and exterior accents and 19-inch black wheels with black brake calipers. Dark Estrema exterior badging is also included.
The Giulia's 280-horsepower turbo-four engine is one of the most potent and lively standard engines in the segment, and don't forget about the bonkers 505-hp turbocharged V6 that powers the Quadrifoglio. If you prioritize the way a car drives, you can't go wrong with the Giulia. Its precise handling and Italian flair, though, come at a price. Check out the Edmunds Expert Rating below to get our test team's full review of the Giulia's performance, tech, comfort and more.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Average
7.4
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
For a certain kind of buyer looking for a focused sport sedan, the Alfa Romeo Giulia is a must-have. There's really no other entry-level four-door that comes close to matching its superb driving dynamics and unique road presence. But many will be put off by the compromises to passenger comfort and overall refinement it makes to achieve this goal.
How does the Giulia drive? The Alfa Romeo Giulia feels like a proper sport sedan. At the Edmunds test track, our Giulia Veloce test vehicle sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, which is among the segment's quickest for a base engine-equipped vehicle. The steering wheel is nicely weighted, and the body responds quickly to steering inputs. Handling is superb, with little body roll and razor-sharp accuracy. Notably, our test car came equipped with summer-rated tires, and we found they provided plenty of grip through turns.
A few faults drag down this score. The brakes clamp on pretty hard, so it takes a light foot to stop smoothly. The transmission also isn't quick to downshift when you really dig in for more speed.
Comfort
7.5/10
How comfortable is the Giulia? The Giulia is a sport sedan first and foremost, but it's also reasonably comfortable. The front seats are supportive and have plenty of adjustments to dial in your ideal position. But some drivers might find the unyielding thigh bolsters to be intrusive. The Giulia rides firmly, and cracked road surfaces transmit hard thunks into the cabin, but it's acceptable overall considering the car's sporty nature.
On the downside, the engine that sounds great when wrung out is also hollow and coarse at low rpm, and our test car's summer tires made a lot of road noise at highway speeds. We also found that the automatic climate system didn't blow as much air as we desired.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Save as much as $5,285 with Edmunds Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $5,285 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the Quadrifoglio trim.
How’s the interior? Some controls are oddly placed. Though the infotainment system supports both touchscreen and dial inputs, the latter can't control everything displayed. You'll have to use the screen to select a radio preset, for instance. Another downside: The Giulia is hard to get in and out of. The middle roof pillar is pushed far forward, which hampers front seat access, and the rear wheel arches intrude into rear passenger space. Headroom is tight especially in the back once you finally do get inside.
The driver is the focus here, as evidenced by the attention to detail placed on this position. The seat and steering wheel are highly adjustable, and the armrests are at the perfect height for relaxed cruising. The metal shift paddles attached to the steering column are deeply satisfying to pull. And visibility is pretty good, except for the compromised over-the-shoulder view due to the position of the middle pillar.
Technology
6.5/10
How’s the tech? The Giulia's tech falls short of what class leaders offer. The voice controls, in particular, are seriously deficient compared to more comprehensive Audi, BMW and Mercedes systems. The system appears to support natural language recognition until you say something it doesn't understand and a structured menu list pops up. Navigation input is cumbersome, and point-of-interest search rarely works. And while there are plenty of ports and pads to charge your devices, phone integration is poor. Bluetooth is slow to connect, so if you had a podcast at high volume playing when you turned off the car, upon restart, the radio will absolutely blast you away.
There are a few highlights. The available Harman Kardon audio system sounds crisp and punchy, and the driver aids, while a little too sensitive, work well overall.
Storage
7.0/10
How’s the storage? The trunk, at 13.4 cubic feet, offers more ultimate storage than most rivals, and there are enough storage spaces inside the car to stash your everyday gear. Numerous cubbies and pockets, though small, are spread throughout the cabin.
As is the case with many aspects of the Giulia, the negatives come down to execution. While the trunk itself is large, the top edge of the trunk is almost in line vertically with the bottom edge. So you don't drop items into the trunk as much as you bend over and slide them in, like you do with an oven. Put anything as far forward as the rear seatbacks, and you'll have to climb into the trunk to retrieve it. And though car seat anchors are easily accessible, the small door apertures and tight rear space will require moving the front seats to make a child safety seat fit.
Fuel Economy
6.5/10
How’s the fuel economy? The all-wheel-drive Giulia gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg combined (23 city/31 highway). This is typical for a compact luxury sedan with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive, but once you consider its superior acceleration, the Giulia gleams a little brighter. However, it earned 25.9 mpg on our 115-mile evaluation route; typically we see results between the combined and highway numbers. A BMW 330i xDrive on the same route, for instance, averaged 31.3 mpg.
Value
7.0/10
Is the Giulia a good value? The Giulia is priced similarly to rivals from Mercedes and BMW, though other sedans from Acura, Lexus and Volvo are generally priced lower. The cabin design is attractive and distinct, with ample use of leather, aluminum and soft-touch plastic. It seems like you get what you pay for. Still, our test car had a persistent rattle and wonky phone integration system.
Like most in the class, Alfa offers four years/50,000 miles of coverage for both its basic and powertrain warranties. Roadside assistance is covered for four years/unlimited miles, and the first maintenance visit is free. Many Alfa models have shown questionable reliability, though, so proceed with caution.
Wildcard
9.0/10
The Giulia has personality in spades. While the back end looks a little anonymous, the front end is distinctive — in a good way. Its interior, likewise, doesn't look like anything else out there. Satisfying steering, sublime handling, grippy seats, a rorty four-cylinder ... there are perhaps no other cars (with base engines) in this segment more engaging or fun to drive. With the Giulia, you will likely know right away if it's the car for you.
Which Giulia does Edmunds recommend?
We suggest going with the Ti trim. It includes a generous number of standard features from the Sprint trim and adds larger 18-inch wheels and a panoramic sunroof. More importantly, it gives you the option of adding the Active Assist Plus and Premium Interior and Sound packages. For additional performance, opt for the new Estrema trim level.
ive got 950 miles on my black giulia sprint and so far it has been awesome . its crazy fast , handles like a sports car , is quiet and comfortable . quality and materials are first rate . so far i am getting 28 mpg and often sticking my foot in it . getting 30+ should be easy on a trip . for those who are critical of this car , i say drive one . you will love it .
In Love With My Sexy Italian Car
5 out of 5 stars
Cody, 08/19/2021
2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
I wanted a sports sedan that was performance oriented and had decent driver legroom as I am over 6ft tall. I did alot of research and it came down to the Giulia against the Chrysler 300, VW Arteon, Kia Stinger, Genesis G70, Sonata N-Line, Acura TLX and Nissan Maxima. Test drove all of them and the Giulia was the clear winner in terms of handling, design and uniqueness. I bought a Misano … blue TI AWD and it gets looks everywhere I go. It's an amazing car to drive and I have absolutely zero buyer's remorse. The trunk space is on the smaller side as is the backseat but as a single guy who doesn't have kids, neither of those are major concerns for me. If you are looking for a car in this class, buy one, you won't regret it.
TL;DR version: Go test drive one and see for yourself.
Full version: So I have always played it "safe" with cars, using magazines like CR faithfully and buying either a Toyota or Honda/Acura product. I really liked the Giulia's looks, the history behind Alfa Romeo, and having a car you don't see everywhere. But, the reliability question was concerning--until I dug deeper. CR doesn't … even really have data on Alfa Romeo yet still gives them a rating (e.g. how on earth did they give the Tonale a rating in April issue when it doesn't even go on sale in USA until May '23). I went to forums where actual owners exist and actual owners have mainly had trouble-free experiences. I quickly discovered that many of the people busting on Alfa reliability don't even own one. So with life short if Covid taught us anything, I took the plunge and bought a Giulia. And, I am 100% glad I did. The car handles like no other sedan on the road. If you are a lean person, definitely opt for the sport seats too. You will seat "in" the seat rather than "on" the seat like the Sprint and Ti versions. If you are larger in size though, the sport seats could be too snug (I'm 6ft, 165) due to the side bolsters. I also love that the car has its infotainment system built into the dash and avoids the common trend of slapped tablet onto the dash--and it has plenty of physical buttons to complement the touchscreens. And, the car is f-a-s-t. I keep it in "d" mode for the dna and you can feel the car excited to drive. Which gets to the biggest dislike--other drivers in my way on a curvy road when my Alfa wants to run free! ;)
Drive it. There is nothing in this class that drives like the Giulia. World class dynamics in terms of handling and ride. The car was updated in 2020 and the interior and finish is first class. I’ve owned all the German competitors. Nothing comes close as an overall package.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia, so we've included reviews for other years of the Giulia since its last redesign.
The 3 Series is one of the most comparable luxury sedans when it comes to handling prowess, but the Giulia is still more engaging to drive and has a more distinctive look. Both sedans provide similar ride comfort as long as you don't get the BMW's M Sport package that includes stiff suspension tuning. Fuel economy is where the 3 Series is the clear winner, and it offers slightly superior tech. Each sedan boasts a potent base engine, but the Giulia is marginally quicker. Starting prices are about the same.
If you don't mind driving an SUV and want one that almost handles like a sport sedan, the Stelvio won't disappoint. It's the Giulia's SUV counterpart that shares its quick acceleration (although it's a little slower) and impressive handling dynamics. They offer the same engines and share similar interiors and tech. The Stelvio provides more cargo and passenger room but not by much, and it's only 2 mpg less efficient. As with the Giulia, ride quality is impressive for a sport-focused vehicle, and these two aren't priced too far apart.
Don't let the Kia badge fool you — the Stinger can hold its own against the Giulia. Like the Giulia, the Stinger has a distinctive head-turning design and provides a highly enjoyable driving experience. It also offers an effective driving position and commendable ride comfort. The Stinger's attractive interior has a premium look and packs much more cargo space under its hatchback. Both have strong base engines, but the Stinger's optional V6 is significantly more powerful and a V6 model costs about as much as the Giulia's Veloce trim.
Adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front.
Forward Collision Warning Plus
Warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time.
Lane Departure Warning
Alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane.
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good
2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia First Impressions
by the Edmunds Experts
•4/26/2022
What is the Giulia?
If you're in the market for a compact luxury car, you're probably considering some familiar faces. BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class ... maybe even the Acura TLX or Genesis G70. But we suggest also taking a look at the Alfa Romeo Giulia — a sporty four-door with stunning good looks and an upscale interior. While packaging issues like a tight rear seat and limited cargo space won't appeal to people looking for ultimate practicality, the Giulia has enough charm that it might win you over on personality alone.
Alfa is introducing a new limited-edition trim level for the 2023 Giulia (as well as its SUV counterpart, the Stelvio). While Alfa is positioning the new Giulia Estrema as a more attainable version of the performance-oriented Giulia Quadrifolgio, the only substantial upgrade the Estrema pulls from its high-octane sibling is the adaptive suspension dampers. You also get flashy bits like carbon fiber sprinkled on the outside and throughout the cabin and staggered tires are available as an option. Alfa hasn't said how many Estrema units it'll be building, but the limited-edition status means this model will likely only be available for 2023.
Edmunds says
The 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia isn't for everyone, but it does provide a compelling alternative for people underwhelmed by the current crop of luxury sedans. The new limited Estrema model leans into the Giulia's sporty character even though tangible upgrades are relatively minor.
FAQ
Is the Alfa Romeo Giulia a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2023 Giulia both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.4 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2023 Giulia gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 38 reviews) And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Alfa Romeo Giulia. Learn more
What's new in the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia:
New limited-edition Lusso and Estrema trim levels
Part of the first Giulia generation introduced in 2017
To determine whether the Alfa Romeo Giulia is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Giulia. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Giulia's 5-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2023 Giulia and gave it a 7.4 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2023 Giulia gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 38 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2023 Giulia is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia?
The least-expensive 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia is the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $44,280.
Other versions include:
Sprint 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $44,280
Sprint 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $46,280
Ti 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $46,320
Ti 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $48,320
Veloce 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $49,920
Veloce 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $51,920
Estrema 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $55,420
Estrema 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $57,420
Quadrifoglio 4dr Sedan (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $79,760
What are the different models of Alfa Romeo Giulia?
If you're interested in the Alfa Romeo Giulia, the next question is, which Giulia model is right for you? Giulia variants include Sprint 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A), Sprint 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A), Ti 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A), and Ti 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A). For a full list of Giulia models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
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